The Division of Medical Toxicology, under the direction of Dr. Anthony Pizon, includes five full-time medical toxicology attending physicians who provide inpatient care, as well as consultative and outpatient clinic services. The inpatient service continues to demonstrate consistent growth in volume at both UPMC Presbyterian and UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. The toxicology service utilizes a specific, dedicated unit within UPMC Presbyterian for toxicology admissions. This is the only such specialized unit in the United States. Additionally, the Division is a designated Center for Poisoning Treatment, which meets stringent guidelines established by the American College of Medical Toxicology, and the only such Center within the region.
The Division recently expanded clinical consultative services at UPMC Mercy and is experiencing additional clinical growth due to this expansion. The outpatient medical
toxicology clinic specializes in the care of patients exposed to environmental and occupational toxins. The clinic is constantly adapting to the toxins patients are exposed in our ever-changing environment. We also provide oversight and medical direction for the Pittsburgh Poison Center and the West Virginia Poison Center.
Medical Toxicology Patient Care
Outpatient Clinic
The Medical Toxicology Outpatient Clinic, under the direction of Dr. Michael Abesamis, provides evaluation and treatment for persons exposed to chemicals and solvents at work or home. In addition to these exposures, obvious exposures, such as carbon monoxide poisoning or hydrofluoric acid burns, can be easily referred to the clinic for further evaluation and medical management.
In not so obvious cases, a primary care physician may refer a patient to 1) see if the constellation of symptoms may be due to an exposure, 2) see if an exposure (active or chronic) is medically significant, 3) determine further evaluation and treatment options and/or 4) further treatment for poisoning. We welcome primary care physician calls to help determine if a patient should be seen in our clinic.
Outpatient Clinic Appointments
The outpatient clinic is referral based only and requires a referral from your primary care or treating physician. All medical records from your primary care or treating physician can be faxed to the clinic at (412) 864-3993.
Before your appointment, an Occupational and Medical History form will be mailed to you for completion. You must bring all completed forms to your appointment along with any additional medical records. If exposure to any chemicals occurred, it is also helpful to obtain a MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) or have a listing of which chemical(s) you were exposed to.
The clinic accepts most health insurance plans. If you have questions or concerns about coverage or payment, please call us at (412) 864-5382.
Inpatient and Consultation Services
As the largest medical toxicology program in Western Pennsylvania, Eastern Ohio and West Virginia, we provide an inpatient and consultation service that can deal with the most difficult and life-threatening poisonings or envenomations in this area. Besides providing inpatient hospital care, our service can also provide other medical professionals with a high level of expertise in diagnosing and managing the care of poisoned patients through our consultation service.
Some of the key benefits in having a poisoned or envenomated patient seen by a toxicologist are their intimate knowledge of drugs, chemicals and venoms and how to treat patients exposed to them. Toxicologists provide evaluation of inpatients with regard to diagnosing poisonings, ruling out poisonings as an etiology, or in helping to manage the care of the poisoned or envenomated patient. Toxicologists also have available to them special therapeutics, interventions, and specialists, when necessary. With an efficient system set up to treat inpatients, the result can be a shorter hospital stay and if needed, rapid psychiatric intervention and referral.
Specialized Inpatient Services provided by Division of Medical Toxicology:
- Surface decontamination.
- Extracorporeal detoxification.
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO).
- Administration of specific antidotes and anti-venom.
- Inpatient admission to the service of a toxicologist.
- 24-hour psychiatric consultation services.
- 24-hour availability of essential laboratory services provided through a toxicology-chemistry lab.
Medical Toxicology Education & Training
Medical Toxicology Fellowship
Our two-year, ACGME-accredited program provides exceptional training in one of the busiest medical toxicology services in the country. Our fellows directly experience acute poisonings, adverse drug events, addiction, withdrawal, hazardous materials, terrorism preparedness, venomous bites and stings, and environmental and workplace exposures. They graduate experts in the prevention, evaluation, treatment and monitoring of illnesses from exposures to drugs and chemicals, as well as biological and radiological agents.
Explore the Medical Toxicology Fellowship
Medical Toxicology Medical Student Course (EMED 5460)
This four-week clinical elective provides students an experience in the assessment and treatment of toxicology patients. Students spend time with toxicology faculty and fellows in consultation, examination, treatment, and follow-up of patients in the emergency, inpatient and outpatient settings. The clinical experience includes daily clinical rounds on inpatients, outpatient consults, including UPMC Children's Hospital and Pittsburgh Poison Center case reviews.
Explore the Medical Toxicology Course
